Container

ABSTRACT

The present device describes an adjustable container for providing a storage container whose volume may be adjusted to suit the size and amount of items held therein. The inventive device includes a base with a perimeter side wall extending around the base outer perimeter to define an interior space. The perimeter side wall has a height defined between the terminal edge of the perimeter side wall and the base. The base and side wall can include a first divider or wall extending along at least a portion of the base. A removable lid is provided including a second divider or wall extending into the interior space when the lid is fitted onto the base. The lid can be rotated relative to the base. Coordinated rotation of the lid relative to the base can subdivide the interior space into a selectively at least a first area and a second area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S.Provisional Application No. 63/190,476, which was filed on May 19, 2021,and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to adjustable volume and transportablecontainers and more particularly pertains to an adjustable container forproviding a portable storage container whose content storage volume maybe adjusted to suit the size and volume of items held therein.

Cut or loose tobacco, for example, is typically stored in a metal,cardboard, or plastic ‘tin’ or container. This type of tobacco andstorage is commonly referred to as a tobacco can or tobacco tin. Thetobacco is periodically consumed thereby decreasing the amount ofremaining tobacco within the container. As consumption progresses, thevolume within the container becomes a detriment to storage of theremaining tobacco because the remaining tobacco is exposed to excess airand excessive movement. This over exposure of the tobacco to air andmovement results in moisture reduction and staleness as time progresses.It is to be appreciated that the volume of tobacco becomes smallerrelative to the volume of the container as consumption progresses. Thepresent device relates to a container that eliminates or reduces an airgap or space within a defined area, and that confines and compressescontents or consumables therein. This is particularly important wherethe contents of the container are periodically and sporadicallyconsumed. This can include where consumption of the contents extendsover several days or weeks. The contents or consumables can include semiliquid food, semi solid food, loose leaf tobacco, cut tobacco, or othermalleable food and tobacco items. Accordingly, the present disclosuremakes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciatedthat aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable toother like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One method of preserving contents, and excluding exposure, is throughthe use of sealable plastic bags. These devices can be effective is somecircumstances but are not realistically durable or transportable forfood or tobacco items that are carried on a person or are used over anextended period of time.

There are Tupperware® style containers that preserve internal contentsfrom outside air when a lid is secured to a base container. These typesof containers are reusable and seal out the outside air. However, theoverall internal volume of the container does not vary as the contentsof the container are consumed. The sequential reduction of remainingcontents is then exposed to more and more air, thereby degrading thecontents therein.

An object of the present invention is to provide a reusable, durable,and sealable container that preserves the contents or consumablestherein. The container can be constructed to be disposable or reusablefor unlimited use. The present invention provides for a container thatvaries the internal volume to eliminate or reduce the exposure of thecontents or consumables therein to excess air.

The present device describes a new adjustable container for providing astorage container whose volume may be adjusted to suit the size andvolume of items held therein. The inventive device includes a base witha perimeter side wall extending around the base outer perimeter todefine an interior space. The perimeter side wall has a height definedbetween the terminal edge of the perimeter side wall and the base. Thebase and side wall can include a first divider or wall extending alongat least a portion of the base thereby subdividing the interior space. Aremovable lid is provided for substantially covering the opening intothe interior space. The lid can include a second divider or wallextending into the interior space when the lid is fitted onto the base.The lid can be rotated relative to the base and sealed to the basethrough a friction fit. Coordinated rotation of the lid relative to thebase can subdivide the interior space into at least a first area and asecond area. The at least first and second areas can be varied based onthe rotation and relative alignment of the first divider to the seconddivider. The first area can include the contents or consumables therein,while the second area can include vacant space. As the contents areconsumed, the first area can be decreased, and the second area increasedby rotation of the lid relative to the base.

The use of adjustable volume containers is known in the prior art. Morespecifically, adjustable volume and collapsible containers heretoforedevised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar,expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding themyriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have beendeveloped for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

Known prior art adjustable volume and collapsible containers includeU.S. Pat. Nos. 100,569,944; 6,484,897; 6,345,718; 5,911,338; 4,215,786;and GB Pat. No. 2372732A.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives andrequirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose an adjustablecontainer as described herein. The inventive device includes a base witha perimeter side wall extending around a bottom surface outer perimeterto define an interior space. The perimeter side wall has a heightdefined between the terminal edge of the perimeter side wall and thebottom surface. The bottom surface and side wall can include a firstdivider or wall extending along at least a portion of the bottom surface(comprising a spoke like element from the center of the base toward aperiphery of the base) thereby subdividing the interior space. Aremovable lid is provided for substantially covering the opening intothe interior space. The lid can include a second divider extending alongat least a portion of a top surface (comprising a spoke like elementfrom the center of the lid toward a periphery of the lid). The seconddivider extending into the interior space when the lid is fitted ontothe base. The lid can be rotated relative to the base and sealed to thebase through, for example, a friction fit. Coordinated rotation of thelid relative to the base can subdivide the interior space into at leasta first area and a second area. The at least first and second areas canbe varied in volume based on the rotation and relative alignment of thefirst divider to the second divider. The first area can include thecontents or consumables therein, while the second area can includevacant space. As the contents are consumed, the first area or volume canbe decreased and the second area or volume increased by coordinatedrotation of the lid relative to the base.

In these respects, the adjustable container according to the presentinvention substantially departs from the conventional concepts anddesigns of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatusprimarily developed for the purpose of providing a storage containerwhose volume may be adjusted to suit the size, amount, and/or volume ofitems held therein.

Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for an improvedportable container. There is also a long felt need in the art for animproved container that can alter its internal space to adjust to thesize, amount, and/or volume of items held therein. Additionally, thereis a long felt need in the art for an improved portable container thatmaintains frictional securement of a circular lid to a circular base.Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved portablecontainer that saves space and that can be transported in a pocket.Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a portable containerthat maintains its shape while under compressive forces.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodimentthereof, comprises a portable container capable of modifying an internalvolume. The container includes plastic, cardboard, or metalconstruction. The container further comprising a base and a lid. Thebase includes a base with a perimeter side wall extending around abottom surface outer perimeter to define an interior space. Theperimeter side wall has a height defined between the terminal edge ofthe perimeter side wall and the bottom surface. The bottom surface andside wall can include a first divider or wall extending along at least aportion of the bottom surface (comprising a spoke like element from thecenter of the base toward a periphery of the base) thereby subdividingthe interior space. A removable lid is provided for substantiallycovering the opening into the interior space. The lid can include asecond divider extending along at least a portion of a top surface(comprising a spoke like element from the center of the lid toward aperiphery of the lid). The second divider extending into the interiorspace when the lid is fitted onto the base. The lid can be rotatedrelative to the base and sealed to the base through, for example, afriction fit. Coordinated rotation of the lid relative to the base cansubdivide the interior space into at least a first area and a secondarea. The at least first and second areas can be varied in volume basedon the rotation and relative alignment of the first divider to thesecond divider. The first area can include the contents or consumablestherein, while the second area can include vacant space. As the contentsare consumed, the first area or volume can be decreased and the secondarea or volume increased by coordinated rotation of the lid relative tothe base.

In this manner, the novel container of the present inventionaccomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with animproved container with a construction capable of withstandingcompressive forces. The container modifies a space by enabling users touse the base and the lid relative to one another in a selectable manneror orientation to adjust an internal volume. The container can bedisposable or can be constructed with a material to enable reuse of thecontainer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summaryis not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its solepurpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as aprelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofadjustable volume and collapsible containers now present in the priorart, the present invention provides an adjustable container constructionwherein the same can be utilized for providing a storage container whosevolume may be adjusted to suit the size and amount of items, and/orvolume of contents or consumables, held therein.

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be describedsubsequently in greater detail, is to provide an adjustable containerapparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the adjustablevolume and collapsible containers mentioned heretofore and many novelfeatures that result in a new adjustable container which is notanticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of theprior art adjustable volume and collapsible containers, either alone orin any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a base with aperimeter side wall extending around the base outer perimeter to definean interior space. The perimeter side wall has a height defined betweenthe terminal edge of the perimeter side wall and the base. The base andside wall can include a first divider or wall extending along at least aportion of the base thereby subdividing the interior space. A removablelid is provided for substantially covering the opening into the interiorspace. The lid can include a second divider or wall extending along atleast a portion of the lid. The second divider can extend into theinterior space when the lid is fitted onto the base. The lid can berotated relative to the base and sealed to the base through a frictionfit. Coordinated rotation of the lid relative to the base can subdividethe interior space into at least a first area and a second area. The atleast first and second areas can be varied based on the rotation andrelative alignment of the first divider to the second divider. The firstarea can include the contents or consumables therein, while the secondarea can include vacant space. As the contents are consumed, the firstarea can be decreased and the second area increased by rotation of thelid relative to the base.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additionalfeatures of the invention that will be described hereinafter and whichwill form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application. The abstract is neither intended to define theinvention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is itintended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a newadjustable container apparatus and method which has many of theadvantages of the adjustable volume and transportable containersmentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a newadjustable container which is not anticipated, rendered obvious,suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art adjustable volume andcollapsible containers, either alone or in any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a newadjustable container which may be easily and efficiently manufacturedand marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a newadjustable container which is of a durable and reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a newadjustable container which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacturewith regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is thensusceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, therebymaking such adjustable container economically available to the buyingpublic.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a newadjustable container which provides in the apparatuses and methods ofthe prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneouslyovercoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a newadjustable container for providing a storage container whose interiorvolume may be adjusted to suit the progressively diminishing size andamount of items held therein; while maintaining the outer dimensions,durability and integrity of the container. In this manner, the remainingcontents are continually compressed and compacted as consumptionprogresses. The remaining contents will be in an easily accessedcompressed (i.e. pre-packed) condition to facilitate removal therefrom.This is particularly desirable, for example, when extracting tobaccousing a user's index finger and thumb to ‘pinch’ a portion of tobaccofor immediate consumption.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a base with aperimeter side wall extending around a bottom surface outer perimeter todefine an interior space. The perimeter side wall has a height definedbetween the terminal edge of the perimeter side wall and the bottomsurface. The bottom surface and side wall can include a first divider orwall extending along at least a portion of the bottom surface(comprising a spoke like element from the center of the base toward aperiphery of the base) thereby subdividing the interior space. Aremovable lid is provided for substantially covering the opening intothe interior space. The lid can include a second divider extending alongat least a portion of a top surface (comprising a spoke like elementfrom the center of the lid toward a periphery of the lid). The seconddivider extending into the interior space when the lid is fitted ontothe base. The lid can be rotated relative to the base and sealed to thebase through a friction fit. Coordinated rotation of the lid relative tothe base can subdivide the interior space into at least a first area anda second area. The at least first and second areas can be varied involume based on the rotation and relative alignment of the first dividerto the second divider. The first area can include the first contents orconsumables therein, while the second area can include vacant space orsecond contents therein. As the first contents are consumed, the firstarea can be decreased and the second area increased by coordinatedrotation of the lid relative to the base.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a newadjustable container that has at least two storage area capacitieschanged according to the increasing or decreasing volume of the contentsstored in it.

Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a newadjustable container that has a lid that forms a substantially airtightseal and structure to maintain the outer size and integrity of thecontainer.

Yet even still another object of the present invention is to provide anew adjustable container that allows a user to have a container thatsuits a wide variety of storage needs and helps eliminate the need forvariously sized containers. The variety of storage needs can encompass,for example, cut tobaccos, dips, bait, worms, salsa, humus, et al. It isto be appreciated that the described container can be scaled and adaptedto accommodate any type of content that is generally consumed inmultiple and distinct episodes.

Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparentto those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading andunderstanding of the following detailed specification.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certainillustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein inconnection with the following description and the annexed drawings.These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various waysin which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and areintended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Otheradvantages and novel features will become apparent from the followingdetailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar referencecharacters refer to similar parts throughout the different views. Theinvention will be better understood and objects other than those setforth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of anadjustable container base according to the present invention inaccordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of anadjustable container lid according to the present invention inaccordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of another potential embodiment ofan adjustable container base according to the present invention inaccordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of another potential embodiment ofan adjustable container lid according to the present invention inaccordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of a matingengagement in a first position of a container base and a container lidin accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 6 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of a matingengagement in a second position of the container base and the containerlid in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, whereinlike reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout.In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovationcan be practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form inorder to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments arediscussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are describedonly to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are notintended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limitthe scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment neednot have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in otherembodiments, any of the features described herein from differentembodiments may be combined.

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through4 thereof, an adjustable container embodying the principles and conceptsof the present invention and generally designated by the referencenumeral 100 will be described. As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, theadjustable container 100 generally comprises a base 120 with a perimeterside wall 160 extending around a bottom 130 outer perimeter to define aninterior space. The perimeter side wall 160 has a height defined betweenthe terminal edge 190 of the perimeter side wall 160 and the bottom 130of the base 120. A removable lid 220 (FIG. 2) is provided forsubstantially covering the opening into the interior space. In closerdetail, the base 120 is generally cylindrical and has a generallycircular planar bottom surface 130. The base 120 also has a circularside wall 160 extending around the bottom surface 130. Together, theside wall 160 and bottom surface 130 of the base 120 define a base outerperimeter. The perimeter side wall 160 is upwardly extending from bottomsurface 130 of the base 120 around the base outer perimeter. Theperimeter side wall 160 defines the interior space of the base 120. Theinterior space is designed for containing items in it. The perimeterside wall 160 includes an inner or interior surface 162 and an outer orexterior surface 164, and the terminal edge 190 therearound. Theterminal edge 190 of the perimeter side wall 160 defines an opening intothe interior space.

The base 120 can include at least one divider, tab, or wall 170extending from the side wall 160 and along at least a portion of thebottom surface 130 comprising a spoke or radial like element from thecenter 172 of the base 120 toward the periphery side wall 160 of thebase 120. The at least one divider 170 can be curved or arcuate and canbe fixedly attached to the bottom surface 130 and circular side wall160. In one embodiment, the height of the first divider 170 can besubstantially equal to the height of the side wall 160.

The removable lid 220 substantially covers the opening into the interiorspace of the base 120. The lid 220 can be slidingly and healinglyreceived by the base 120. The lid 220 is generally circular and has anouter perimeter wall 260, including an inner or interior surface 262 andan outer or exterior surface 264. In one preferred embodiment of theinvention, the inner surface 262 of the lid frictionally mates with atleast a portion of the outer surface 164 of the perimeter side wall 160.

The lid 220 can include a divider, tab, or wall 270 extending from a topsurface 230 of the lid 220. The lid divider 270 can be curved or arcuateand can extend along at least a portion of the top surface 230. Thedivider 270 can be fixedly attached to the lid 220 top surface 230. Inone embodiment, the height of the lid divider 270 can be substantiallyequal to the height of the side wall 160.

The removable lid 220 is provided for substantially covering the openinginto the interior space of the base 120. It is to be appreciated thatthe lid 220 can include one or more second dividers or walls extendingalong at least a portion of the lid. The second divider(s) can extendinto the interior space when the lid is fitted onto the base. The lid220 can be rotated relative to the base 120 and sealed to the base 120through a friction fit of overlapping sections of the interior surface262 of the lid 220 and the exterior surface 164 of the base 120.Coordinated rotation of the lid 220 relative to the base 120 cansubdivide the interior space into at least a first area and a secondarea. The at least first and second areas can be varied in volume basedon the rotation and relative alignment of the first divider 170 to thesecond divider 270. The at least first area can include the firstcontents or consumables therein, while the at least second area caninclude vacant space or second contents therein. As the first contentsare consumed, the at least first area can be decreased and the at leastsecond area increased by rotation of the lid 220 relative to the base120.

The lid 220 and base 120 can be aligned, and rotated relative to oneanother, such that the base divider 170 and lid divider 270 define twoareas within the container 100 when the lid 220 is attached to the base120. Subsequent to attaching the lid 220 to the base 120, the lid 220and base 120 can be rotated relative to one another. The resultantrotation enables the contents or consumables within the base 120 to begathered and compressed into a space that substantially equals thevolume of the contents therein. As the container 100 is used, and thecontents consumed, each subsequent closing and rotation of the lid 220to the base 120 can alter the volume of a first area and a second area.In one exemplary embodiment, the first area includes the contents withinthe container and the second area includes the vacant space. It is to beappreciated, as the contents are consumed, the volume of the first areadecreases while the volume of the second area increases. The respectivevolumes of the first area and the second area are facilitated by therotation of the lid 220 relative to the base 120 and the alignment ofthe lid divider 270 with the base divider 170.

The lid 220 can include an indicator 266 on the outer surface 264showing the location of the lid divider 270. The base 120 can include anindicator 166 on the outer surface 164 showing the location of the basedivider 170. The lid indicator 266 and base indicator 166 can be used tofacilitate the lid 220 positioning relative to the base 120 and thesubsequent rotation of the lid 220 about the base 120. Rotating the lid220 relative to the base 120, and the associated rotation of the liddivider 270 relative to the base divider 170, gathers and compresses thecontents or consumables therein. Rotation can continue until thecontents are sufficiently compressed and further rotation is prohibited.It is to be appreciated that the dividers 170,270 can engage, forexample, in a ratchet and pawl arrangement within the container toprovide an anti-rotation mechanism to prohibit rotation in an undesireddirection. Once rotation is prohibited, the volume of the first areawill substantially equal the volume of the remaining contents orconsumables within the container. The first area will thus comprise aprogressively shrinking space wherein the remaining contents aresurrounded by walls with minimal air therearound and prohibitedmovement, thereby prohibiting excess air to be exposed to the contentstherein. The remaining contents are thus retained in a desirableorientation to facilitate consumption as the volume of the contents orconsumables progressively decline.

Another embodiment of the container 300 is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4,the adjustable container 300 generally comprises a base 320 with aperimeter side wall 360 extending around a bottom 330 outer perimeter todefine an interior space. The perimeter side wall 360 has a heightdefined between the terminal edge 390 of the perimeter side wall 360 andthe bottom 330 of the base 320. A removable lid 420 (FIG. 4) is providedfor substantially covering the opening into the interior space. Incloser detail, the base 320 is generally cylindrical and has a generallycircular planar bottom surface 330. The base 320 also has a circularside wall 360 extending around the bottom surface 330. Together, theside wall 360 and bottom surface 330 of the base 320 define a base outerperimeter. The perimeter side wall 360 is upwardly extending from bottomsurface 330 of the base 320 around the base outer perimeter. Theperimeter side wall 360 defines the interior space of the base 320. Theinterior space is designed for containing items in it. The perimeterside wall 360 includes an inner or interior surface 362 and an outer orexterior surface 364, and the terminal edge 390 therearound. Theterminal edge 390 of the perimeter side wall 360 defines an opening intothe interior space.

The base 320 can include at least one divider, tab, or wall 370extending from the side wall 360 and along at least a portion of thebottom surface 330 comprising a spoke or radial like element from thecenter 372 of the base 320 toward the periphery side wall 360 of thebase 320. The at least one divider 370 can be straight and can befixedly attached to the bottom surface 330 and circular side wall 360.In one embodiment, the height of the first divider 370 can besubstantially equal to the height of the side wall 360.

The removable lid 420 substantially covers the opening into the interiorspace of the base 320. The lid 420 can be slidingly and healinglyreceived by the base 320. The lid 420 is generally circular and has anouter perimeter wall 460, including an inner or interior surface 462 andan outer or exterior surface 464. In one preferred embodiment of theinvention, the inner surface 462 of the lid frictionally mates with atleast a portion of the outer surface 364 of the perimeter side wall 360.

The lid 420 can include a divider, tab, or wall 470 extending from a topsurface 430 of the lid 420. The lid divider 470 can be straight and canextend along at least a portion of the top surface 430. The divider 470can be fixedly attached to the lid 420 top surface 430. In oneembodiment, the height of the lid divider 470 can be substantially equalto the height of the side wall 360.

The removable lid 420 is provided for substantially covering the openinginto the interior space of the base 320. It is to be appreciated thatthe lid 420 can include one or more second dividers or walls extendingalong at least a portion of the lid. The second divider(s) can extendinto the interior space when the lid is fitted onto the base. The lid420 can be rotated relative to the base 320 and sealed to the base 320through a friction fit of overlapping sections of the interior surface462 of the lid 420 and the exterior surface 364 of the base 320.Coordinated rotation of the lid 420 relative to the base 320 cansubdivide the interior space into at least a first area and a secondarea. The at least first and second areas can be varied in volume basedon the rotation and relative alignment of the first divider 370 to thesecond divider 470. The at least first area can include the firstcontents or consumables therein, while the at least second area caninclude vacant space or second contents therein. As the first contentsare consumed, the at least first area can be decreased and the at leastsecond area increased by rotation of the lid 420 relative to the base320.

The lid 420 and base 320 can be aligned, and rotated relative to oneanother, such that the base divider 370 and lid divider 470 define twoareas within the container 300 when the lid 420 is attached to the base320. Subsequent to attaching the lid 420 to the base 320, the lid 420and base 320 can be rotated relative to one another. The resultantrotation enables the contents or consumables within the base 320 to begathered and compressed into a space that substantially equals thevolume of the contents therein. As the container 300 is used, and thecontents consumed, each subsequent closing and rotation of the lid 420to the base 320 can alter the volume of a first area and a second area.In one exemplary embodiment, the first area includes the contents withinthe container and the second area includes the vacant space. It is to beappreciated, as the contents are consumed, the volume of the first areadecreases while the volume of the second area increases. The respectivevolumes of the first area and the second area are facilitated by therotation of the lid 420 relative to the base 320 and the alignment ofthe lid divider 470 with the base divider 370.

The lid 420 can include an indicator 466 on the outer surface 464showing the location of the lid divider 470. The base 320 can include anindicator 366 on the outer surface 364 showing the location of the basedivider 370. The lid indicator 466 and base indicator 366 can be used tofacilitate the lid 420 positioning relative to the base 320 and thesubsequent rotation of the lid 420 about the base 320. Rotating the lid420 relative to the base 320, and the associated rotation of the liddivider 470 relative to the base divider 370, gathers and compresses thecontents therein. Rotation can continue until the contents aresufficiently compressed and further rotation is prohibited.

Referring to FIG. 5, wherein the lid 220 is shown in a first position inpreparation for securing to the base 120. As illustrated, inner surface262 frictionally secures to outer surface 164. Perimeter wall 260includes a flexible portion 265 for flexing as the lid 220 is presseddown over the base 120. Outer surface 164 includes a rib 165 extendingaround the outer surface 164 of the perimeter wall 160. Rib 165 secureswithin the flexible portion 265 of perimeter wall 260 when the lid 220is pressed down onto base 120 (refer to FIG. 6).

In another embodiment, the base includes a first divider and at least asecond divider wherein the first divider and the at least second dividercomprise spoke or radial like elements extending from the center of thebase toward the periphery of the base. At least one of the first dividerand the at least second divider rotatable wherein the interior space canbe subdivided into at least two areas by spacing of at least one basedivider relative to at least another base divider. It is to beappreciated that the aforementioned embodiment can incorporate a lidwith or without a divider.

In still another embodiment, the lid can include a first divider and atleast a second divider wherein the first divider and the at least seconddivider comprise spoke or radial like elements extending from the centerof the lid toward the periphery of the lid. At least one of the firstdivider and the at least second divider rotatable wherein the interiorspace can be subdivided into at least two areas by spacing of at leastone lid divider relative to at least another lid divider. It is to beappreciated that the aforementioned embodiment can incorporate a basewith or without a divider.

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of thepresent invention, the same should be apparent from the abovedescription. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the mannerof usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention. Exemplaryembodiments can include a lid and base that are secured to one anotherthrough mating threads, pawl and ratchet, ring, and indent.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claimsto refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the artwill appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature orcomponent by different names. This document does not intend todistinguish between components or features that differ in name but notstructure or function. As used herein “container”, “adjustablecontainer”, and “adjustable volume container” are interchangeable andrefer to the container 100,300 of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the container 100,300 of the presentinvention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known inthe art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, providedthat it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skillin the art will appreciate that the container 100,300 as shown in theFIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes andshapes of the container 100,300 are well within the scope of the presentdisclosure. Although the dimensions of the container 100,300 areimportant design parameters for user convenience, the container 100,300be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or thatsuits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplaryembodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. While the embodiments described above refer to particularfeatures, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments havingdifferent combinations of features and embodiments that do not includeall of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the presentinvention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications,and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with allequivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subjectmatter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivablecombination of components or methodologies for purposes of describingthe claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art mayrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimedsubject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter isintended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variationsthat fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in eitherthe detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to beinclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising”is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjustable internal volume container forstoring a consumable, the container comprising: said container includinga base and a lid; said base includes a base divider and said lidincludes a lid divider; wherein said lid frictionally and rotationallysecured to said base; wherein said lid divider rotatable relative tosaid base divider to selectively define an internal volume between saidbase and said lid including at least a first area and a second area;wherein rotation of said lid relative to said base decreases said atleast first area of said internal volume between said base divider andsaid lid divider; and further wherein said at least first area issequentially decreased as the consumable is consumed.
 2. The containerof claim 1, wherein said lid and said base are adapted to form asubstantially airtight adjustable said at least first area to adapt tothe size and amount of the consumable therein.
 3. The container of claim1, wherein said base includes a base perimeter side wall extendingaround a base outer perimeter to define said internal volume, saidperimeter side wall has a height defined between a terminal edge of saidbase perimeter side wall and said base outer perimeter; and furtherwherein a center of said base and said base perimeter side wall includessaid base divider therebetween.
 4. The container of claim 1, whereinsaid base divider is a radial divider extending from a center of saidbase to said base perimeter wall.
 5. The container of claim 4, whereinsaid base divider is arcuate in shape.
 6. The container of claim 4,wherein said base divider is straight in shape.
 7. The container ofclaim 4, wherein said lid divider is a radial divider extending from acenter of said lid to a lid perimeter wall of said lid.
 8. The containerof claim 7, wherein said lid divider is arcuate in shape.
 9. Thecontainer of claim 7, wherein said lid divider is straight in shape. 10.The container of claim 4, wherein said base includes a base dividerindicator for indicating a location of said base divider.
 11. Thecontainer of claim 10, wherein said lid includes a lid divider indicatorfor indicating a location of said lid divider.
 12. The container ofclaim 1, wherein the container comprises a material selected from thegroup consisting of a plastic, a cardboard, and a metal.
 13. Anadjustable internal volume container for storing a consumable, thecontainer comprising: said container including a base having a basedivider and a lid having a lid divider; wherein said base includes abase perimeter side wall extending around a base outer perimeter todefine said internal volume, said base perimeter side wall has a heightdefined between a terminal edge of said base perimeter side wall andsaid base outer perimeter; and wherein said base divider is a radialdivider extending from a center of said base to said base perimeter sidewall and includes a height generally equal to said height of said baseperimeter side wall; wherein said lid divider is a radial dividerextending from a center of said lid to a lid perimeter of said lid andincludes a height generally equal to said height of said base perimeterside wall; wherein said lid frictionally and rotationally secured tosaid base; wherein said lid divider rotatable relative to said basedivider to selectively define an internal volume between said base andsaid lid including at least a first area and a second area; and furtherwherein rotation of said lid relative to said base decreases said atleast first area of said internal volume between said base divider andsaid lid divider.
 14. The container of claim 13, wherein said lid andsaid base are adapted to form a substantially airtight adjustable saidat least first area to adapt to the size and amount of the consumabletherein.
 15. The container of claim 13, wherein said base divider andsaid lid divider are arcuate in shape.
 16. The container of claim 13,wherein said base divider and said lid divider are straight in shape.17. A method for adjusting an internal volume of a container for storinga consumable, the method comprising: providing said container includinga base having a base divider and a lid having a lid divider; whereinsaid base includes a base perimeter side wall extending around a baseouter perimeter to define said internal volume, said base perimeter sidewall has a height defined between a terminal edge of said base perimeterside wall and said base outer perimeter; and wherein said base divideris a radial divider extending from a center of said base to said baseperimeter side wall and includes a height generally equal to said heightof said base perimeter side wall; wherein said lid divider is a radialdivider extending from a center of said lid to a lid perimeter of saidlid and includes a height generally equal to said height of said baseperimeter side wall; wherein said lid frictionally and rotationallysecured to said base; rotating said lid relative to said base whereinsaid lid divider rotates relative to said base divider to selectivelydefine an internal volume between said base divider and said lid dividerincluding at least a first area and a second area; and sequentiallyrotating said lid relative to said base for decreasing said at least afirst area between said lid divider and said base divider of saidinternal volume to conform to the consumable therebetween.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, wherein said base divider and said lid divider arearcuate in shape.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein said base dividerand said lid divider are straight in shape.
 20. The method of claim 17,wherein said base includes a base divider indicator for indicating alocation of said base divider and said lid includes a lid dividerindicator for indicating a location of said lid divider.